Cheers echoed through the streets of Nelson Mandela Bay on Thursday as 290 members of the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) rolled into the metro.
Children ran alongside military vehicles, waving and shouting in excitement, while elderly residents stood on the pavements, fists lifted in solidarity.
The soldiers were deployed to the metro as part of Operation Prosper, a joint security initiative to support the SA Police Service (SAPS) to combat gang violence, extortion and illegal firearms across the country.
In the Bay, the focus is predominantly on the gang-ridden northern areas and township crime hotspots.
The operation will focus on drug networks, illegal firearms, extortion syndicates and construction mafias.
The anticipated arrival of the SANDF was announced as a helicopter flew above the 10111 call centre in Schauderville.
Large military vehicles followed suit by roaring into action.
As they drove through the streets of Schauderville, Gelvandale and Helenvale, the pavements were lined by residents who raised their fists in celebration, while laughing children ran after the convoy of SANDF and SAPS vehicles.
Some youngsters said it was their first time to see soldiers up close.
And while some may have been unaware of the real reason for the deployment to their community, those grieving losses due to criminality understood the significance of the occasion.
Andre Ludick, 57, of Barcelona, and a woman from Helenvale, 47, whom The Herald has opted not to name, agreed that the arrival of the military gave them hope.
“My grandson was buried about two weeks ago; the gangsters shot him in the heart,” Ludick said.
“I am very happy to see the army here.
“If it takes them coming every day and night to stop these criminals, then we welcome it.”
Ludick, who grew up in the northern areas, said it had become increasingly dangerous for children to go to school.
The woman from Helenvale, meanwhile, said a family member was allegedly involved in gang-related activities, and they lived in constant fear and battled to sleep at night due to the possible repercussions.
“We have been given some hope that we can now finally breathe again, because this violence has taken away our lives and the lives of our children,” she said.
“Our children cannot even concentrate in school.
“The gangsters have taken away our freedom.
“We hear gunshots daily.”
Speaking of her relative, she said as a family, they had to pay for some of the things he had allegedly done.
“We have been praying for [intervention] for many years.”
Newly appointed Eastern Cape police commissioner Lieutenant-General Vuyisile Ncata gave the marching orders on Thursday.
During the joint parade with the men and women in blue, Ncata confirmed that the 290 soldiers were first undergoing orientation.
He said it was necessary to familiarise them with the northern areas.
“Tomorrow [Friday], when the first mission begins, it is not just about policing, it is about restoration and taking back our communities from the grips of criminals who have held them hostage for far too long.”
He said President Cyril Ramaphosa had issued a clear mandate to prevent and combat gangsterism.
“This is a deployment of the SANDF serving alongside the SAPS until March 2027, with the full backing and resources of the state,” Ncata said.
He said in Nelson Mandela Bay, their focus was on gang violence which had people living in fear in communities such as Gelvandale, Chatty, Kamesh and Algoa Park.
He said this extended further to criminal elements operating in Humansdorp and Jeffreys Bay.
Once the northern areas had been stabilised, their attention would shift to other parts of the Bay, such as the townships.
According to Ncata, their strategy was simple and had a co-ordinated action.
“We are not here to simply increase visibility, though you will see it.
“We are here to act with precision, to go for the kingpins, the so-called construction mafia who extort our people, and the drug lords who poison our youth and traffic illegal firearms.”
Addressing the SANDF members, he said: “You are our force multipliers; your presence is a powerful symbol of our state resolve.”
Ncata said the rules of engagement had been made clear during training — the SAPS was in command, while the SANDF would work to support its operations.
Reassuring community members that they need not fear having their rights violated, Ncata said Brigadier-General Martin Gopane, director of operations in the joint division of the SANDF, had already briefed and assured parliament that they would respect the right to life and dignity.
“The presence of soldiers should inspire confidence, not fear.
“All arrests will be effected in accordance with the Criminal Procedure Act.
“Suspects must be handed over to the SAPS without delay.
“And the work of the SAPS does not end with arrest, it ends with a conviction.
“Let me take this moment to send a message to those who think they are above the law, your days of operating in the Eastern Cape are over.
“Whether you are involved in extortion in Mthatha, murder in Gqeberha, or stock theft in Nqanqarhu, we are coming for you, we know who you are.
“To the law abiding citizens of the Eastern Cape, we need your help.
“The success of this operation depends on our partnership.
“The president asked communities to work closely with us to identify and isolate criminals.”
He further called for patience from the community while investigations were being conducted.
Colonel Thembinkosi Ntobela, SANDF officer commanding joint tactical headquarters in the Eastern Cape, said Operation Prosper was not just a deployment but rather a commitment to security and protection.
He said their objectives were straightforward — to support law enforcement to ensure businesses and communities could function without fear or disruption.
“It reflects our constitutional mandate of the SANDF to safeguard SA and support the conditions required for growth and prosperity,” Ntobela said.
“In recent times, we have seen challenges that threaten not only public safety but also economic confidence and social cohesion.
“Operation Prosper has been initiated to address these challenges decisively and responsibly in close operation with the SAPS and other state partners.
“Our members understand the responsibility they carry.
“They are trained to act with restraint, respect and integrity at all times.
“Security is a shared responsibility, and together we can ensure peace and order prevail.”
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